Adair Sutton, 52, marketing director for Harborplace

November 08, 2005

Adair Sutton, former director of marketing for Harborplace and the Gallery, died of cancer Nov. 1 at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Butler resident was 52.

Born Anne Adair Fogarty in Baltimore and raised in Butler, she was a graduate of the old Hannah More Academy and in 1975 earned her bachelor's degree in communications from what is now Towson University.

"She was masterful in her coordination of people and ideas," said Cathy Case, former director of retail marketing for the old Rouse Co. "She was a wonderful ambassador and so proud of Baltimore. She was at her best bringing the city to other tourism and convention leaders."

"She was warm, glowing and caring," said Kent Digby, Harborplace's senior general manager. "In nearly 25 years in this business, Adair was one of the best marketing managers I've known."

Mrs. Sutton, who resigned this year after Rouse was acquired by General Growth Properties, was a former member of the Greater Baltimore Committee Tourism Work Group, the Downtown Partnership Marketing Committee, the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association Communications Board and the Maryland Tourism Council Board of Directors. She helped with opening ceremonies for BACVA's Inner Harbor tourist center.

"Her biggest accomplishment was to spearhead the Baltimore Harbor Pass, which gave you admission to a variety of tourist sites," said Nina Tou, a friend and business associate. "She saw how beneficial it was to tie all these venues together."

She had earlier worked in promotions for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Marriott Corp., and the U.S. Postal Service in Washington.

A memorial service will be held at noon today at St. John's Episcopal Church, 3738 Butler Road.

She is survived by her husband of nearly three years, George D. Sutton.